Sutherland Continues Houston Expansion with Addition of Two Attorneys - KansasCity.com

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP announced today that Teri L. Donaldson has joined the firm as a Partner in the Litigation Group and John J. Michael has joined as Counsel in the Energy and Environmental Practice Group. Both are based in the firm's Houston office. The arrival of Ms. Donaldson and Mr. Michael continues the strategic growth of the firm’s Houston office and bolsters Sutherland’s environmental litigation and offshore transaction services to the energy industry.

“The addition of Teri and John continues the momentum of our solid growth in Houston,” said Sutherland’s Managing Partner Mark D. Wasserman. “We are committed to continuing to expand our strength in Houston to meet the needs of our clients and the energy market.”

Ms. Donaldson joins Sutherland from Squire, Sanders & Dempsey and will continue to focus her practice on environmental and commercial litigation. She has substantial experience with state and federal environmental permitting and transactional counseling. Ms. Donaldson has appeared regularly in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. As the former general counsel of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, she worked closely with state, regional and national agencies on environmental issues arising under the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and other state and federal environmental statutes. During her service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, Ms. Donaldson was designated lead environmental crimes prosecutor for the Middle District of Florida and established the Environmental Crimes Unit. She tried more than 45 cases to verdict as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Formerly with Vinson & Elkins in Houston, Mr. Michael will lead Sutherland’s offshore energy and maritime transactions team representing clients in shipping and marine transportation, offshore/oilfield operations, and related corporate, finance, and commercial matters. His arrival expands the firm’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group, particularly the offshore energy law practice, which was recently ranked by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers as one of the best in the nation for admiralty and maritime law. His experience includes a broad range of domestic and international marine and energy transactions relating to oil and gas, LNG, petrochemicals, and pipelines. He also has considerable experience representing clients in the public maritime and port sectors.

“Teri and John are the perfect complement to our existing environmental litigation and offshore transactions and maritime teams. Both Teri and John have a unique background that offers value to clients. We welcome them and the depth of experience they bring to our office and practice,” said Rachel Clingman, Co-Partner in Charge of the Houston office.

Sutherland's Houston office has expanded in recent years and has more than 30 attorneys providing Corporate, Energy and Environmental, and Litigation services to clients in the banking, financial services, insurance, and energy industries.

ABOUT SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP.

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP is a law firm with global reach known for solving challenging business problems and resolving sophisticated legal issues for many of the world’s largest companies. Founded in 1924, the firm handles matters throughout the United States and worldwide. Seven major practice areas—corporate, energy and environmental, financial services, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, and tax—provide the framework for an extensive range of focus areas, allowing Sutherland attorneys to serve a diverse client base that ranges from small and medium-sized start-up businesses to a significant number of Fortune 100 companies.